A police watchdog has been long crying foul over the abuses that allegedly occur during remand proceedings. However, no one in power has been willing to hear them out.

The group asserts that innocent people - viewed as suspects by the authorities - are imprisoned under questionable grounds for lengthy periods up to 90 days in a stretch in some cases.

In a letter to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Radzi Sheik Ahmad yesterday, the Kuala Lumpur-based Police Watch and Human Rights Committee has asked for a meeting over the issue.

The committee has turned to the minister as it had failed in six attempts to present its findings to the judiciary - where it claimed a large part of the abuses lie.

"Our serious concern is the fact that most magistrates nationwide hear remand proceedings behind closed doors i.e in chambers and/or in closed up courtrooms, excluding the public, family members and NGOs," stated its chairperson RN Rajah.

He said that this practice was contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"Justice must not only be done but must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done," he added, chiding magistrates who exercised their discretion administratively and not judicially when granting unreasonably long and excessive remand orders.

As an example, Rajah cited a recent case of 12 suspects - 11 security guards and their condominium manager - who had been denied legal representation, remanded for 10 days and had their heads shaved.

He deemed laws used to justify these acts - such as the Chief Justices' Practise Direction and the Prisons and Lock-Up Rules - were archaic and needed serious reform.

Police abuse

A copy of the letter to Radzi, who is also chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Police, was made available to malaysiakini.

Rajah further claimed that the worst forms of abuse and human rights violations imaginable are done by the police during remand periods.

This occurrence, he said, is encouraged by the fact that there are none or very little checks and balances on the police force.

"We regret to inform you that this (serial remand orders) is the most abused provision in the Malaysian criminal justice system. Thousands of innocent people have been detained and abused contrary to Article 5 of the Federal Constitution. The police also abuse their powers (given) under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code," he added.

He urged the select committee to pay attention and act promptly to the 'reality on the ground' as cases of abuse are constantly highlighted but not addressed.

The NGO is seeking an audience with the select committee to hand in a detailed memorandum on the matter.

"Our proposed memorandum, outlining this and other realities and abuses, together with our proposals and recommendations would help enhance the standards of the criminal justice system in the country," said Rajah.

The letter was also copied to the prime minister, the chief justice, the attorney-general, inspector-general of police and an opposition parliamentarian.

The group had previously made recommendations to the now-defunct Royal Police Commission from which many were implemented in the commission's final report.